diff --git a/brainrender/scene.py b/brainrender/scene.py
index ea02d53..f016bfe 100644
--- a/brainrender/scene.py
+++ b/brainrender/scene.py
@@ -78,9 +78,11 @@ def __init__(
         # Initialise render class
         Render.__init__(self, plotter)
 
+        root_name = self.atlas.structures[self.atlas.hierarchy.root]["acronym"]
+
         # Get root mesh
         self.root = self.add_brain_region(
-            "root",
+            root_name,
             alpha=settings.ROOT_ALPHA,
             color=settings.ROOT_COLOR,
             silhouette=bool(root and settings.SHADER_STYLE == "cartoon"),
@@ -283,7 +285,7 @@ def get_actors(
 
     def add_brain_region(
         self,
-        *regions: str,
+        *regions: str | int,
         alpha: float = 1,
         color: str | None = None,
         silhouette: bool | None = None,
@@ -296,7 +298,7 @@ def add_brain_region(
         Parameters
         ----------
         *regions
-            Region names.
+            Region names or IDs.
         alpha
             How opaque the regions are rendered.
         color